Toyota said in its earnings statement that the yen's weakness was the overriding reason behind the company's big jump in operating profits. Cost cutting and successful marketing also helped boost results.

Vehicle sales are running at about 10 million a year, keeping Toyota ahead of General Motors(GM) and Volkswagen(VLKAF).

Camera tricks on future cars

The company also said it benefited from last-minute demand from Japanese customers who raced to make purchases before a rise in consumption tax in April -- part of Abe's plan to stabilize massive government borrowing.

Looking ahead to next year, Toyota forecasts net profit will fall slightly, down by 2.4%, and it doesn't expect any growth in sales, especially since demand traditionally slows following a surge.

The company has issued two major recalls in recent months affecting more than 8 million vehicles worldwide.

It has also been dealing with the fallout of its massive unintended acceleration recall four years ago. In March, Toyota agreed to pay $1.2 billion to the U.S. Justice Department to settle a criminal probe, the largest fine of its kind ever paid by an automaker.